Delhi authority opens online portal for TOD applications

New DelhiDevelopers seeking to undertake projects under the Delhi Development Authority’s (DDA’s) revised transit-oriented development (TOD) policy can submit applications through the authority’s online building permit system, officials aware of the matter said

New Delhi

With the authority moving to operationalise the policy notified earlier this year, developers will first seek sanction of TOD plots online before submitting building plans. (Representative photo)

Developers seeking to undertake projects under the Delhi Development Authority’s (DDA’s) revised transit-oriented development (TOD) policy can submit applications through the authority’s online building permit system, officials aware of the matter said.

With the authority moving to operationalise the policy notified earlier this year, developers will first seek sanction of TOD plots online before submitting building plans. A dedicated microsite detailing the policy, the approval process and regulations has been launched, officials said.

“The opening of the online application process marks the operational rollout of the revised TOD Policy. The entire approval mechanism has been designed as a transparent, single-window and time-bound system through the TOD Committee, enabling developers to obtain approvals at one place while facilitating planned development, affordable housing and transit-oriented urban growth,” a DDA spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said that the revised policy is intended to promote affordable housing, mixed-use development and higher-density urban growth around public transport corridors while streamlining approvals for developers.

The authority said the TOD Committee, headed by the DDA vice-chairman and comprising representatives of all service-providing agencies concerned, will process proposals through a single-window mechanism. The policy also introduces a single TOD charge that subsumes several existing charges, including those related to water and sewerage, municipal sanctions, land-use change, additional floor area ratio (FAR) levies and leasehold-to-freehold conversion.

Officials said parties proposing development under the policy will submit a single application along with the prescribed charges, instead of seeking separate approvals from multiple agencies, such as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Jal Board and Delhi Fire Services.

The revised framework allows TOD projects on plots measuring at least 2,000 square metres and permits a maximum FAR of up to 500 on plots of that size and above located on roads at least 18 metres wide. Of the permissible FAR, 65% has been earmarked for residential use, with dwelling units of up to 100 square metres intended to support affordable housing. Of the remaining 35%, 10% has been reserved for commercial and amenity uses, while the balance may be utilised for larger residential units, office space, guest houses or studio apartments.

The policy also permits TOD projects along both operational and proposed Metro, RRTS and railway corridors. It additionally provides for underground or elevated pedestrian walkways linking TOD projects with nearby transit stations and allows enhanced FAR for public and semi-public facilities located within TOD zones.